Unkind words cause lasting damage, let our words be polite and kind.

Busy with Christmas fever, wonder did you ever, did the Bible or Jesus made any injunction on Christmas ever? If Jesus meant his followers to celebrate Christmas, he would have practiced it himself and enjoined it on his followers. There is no. . .

I am short $9.00. Daddy, can you lend me $9.00 so I have enough to buy an hour of your time tonight. . .

In order to have a correct understanding of Islamic ideals it is necessary to distinguish between women's status in so-called Muslim societies, and her status according to Islamic laws, principles and values. In true Islamic society, woman has an honored position and, beside her legal and civil rights, enjoys special respect. . .

You are the light of our eyes. Without you we are like orphans, somehow scared and heartbroken. We are so honored to be a part of your nation. We love you dearly. We admire and envy those who love you even more.

Forgiveness signifies overlooking the offence and sin of a person who has purposefully or mistakenly done you wrong, such as insulting you by his words. The forgiveness desired by Islam is that we forgive when we have the power to take revenge.

Imam Hassan al-Mujtaba (a.s.) was the second Apostolic Imam of the Shia' Muslims. The Holy Prophet particularly loved the son of Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib (a.s.), the successor to the Prophet Muhammad, Imam Hassan (a.s.). The period of Hasan's Imamate lasted ten years. On the 21st of Ramadhan in the 40th Islamic year, Imam Hasan read the sermon announcing the death of his dear father, Imam Ali

Behave humbly with the people, keep yourself lenient, meet them with a big heart and accord them equal treatment so that the high should not expect injustices from you in their favour and the low should not be despondent of your justice towards them.

Imam Ali was born in the Sacred House, the Holy Kaaba, in Makkah in 600 A.D. The place of his birth was a sign of his position in the eyes of Allah and no one else has ever been born in the Holy Kaaba.

Of all the Anbiya 'Alayhimu-Salaam that Allah sent to different tribes and nations, Rasulu-Allah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Aalihi wa Sallam) was sent to the whole mankind. A man of greatest patience, charisma and gentle behaviour, Rasul-Allah would be like a

We are still in the dawn of the scientific age and every increase of fight reveals more brightly the handiwork of an intelligent Creator. With a spirit of scientific humility and of faith grounded in knowledge we are approaching even nearer to an awareness of God.

The most influential persons in History. He is by far the most remarkable man to ever set foot on the face of this earth. The Encyclopedia Britannica calls him 'the most successful of all religious personalities of the world'.

Hajj is a commemoration of love and celebration of faith. Every year more than 2 million Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, to make the journey.

In a world swayed by misunderstanding of cultural differences, Islam and its adherents often are stereotyped and caricatured, branded with the violent or sexist image of a small minority of zealots.

Easy, O' hurrying steps Watch out for you may step on the tear drops of the Beloveds of Allah....

What are the big rocks in your life? A project that YOU want to accomplish? Time with your loved ones? Your faith, your education, your finances? A cause? Teaching or mentoring others?

Operation Death - A Tale of an average man who acts contrary to Allah's plan. If you are reflected herein, then repent, and commit no sin.

I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. - The Holy Bible

The Coming of the Most Noble Messenger (S.A.W.). With eyes as bright as the shining sun, a reality on the lips more brilliant than the light of the sun, a heart more fresh than the flowers of the gardens of Yathrib and Taif..... Adapted from The Voice of

Surely this book (the Bible) must have something to say about this great Leader of men who spoke so well of Jesus and his mother Mary.

What Non-Muslims Say About Prophet Muhammad: "If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astonishing results are the three criteria of a human genius, who could dare compare any great man in history with Muhammad?..."

The sphere of the heavens, in its prolonged and ceaseless rotation, had never been able to bring forth a creature like "The Prophet of Islam" whose substance was pure and free of all defect, who was completely untainted by all imperfection.

Wasiyyah to Abu Dharr by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)

The Believer is one with whom people's life, wealth and dignity are secure.... Imam Ali (a.s.)

On the Day of Judgement every soul shall find present what it has done of good and what it has done of evil. It is this event that we must all be prepared for.

Shariah literally means road, drinking place, and the legal and social practice of a people based on the revelations of their prophet.

According to the Quranic view, we have not been created simply for this earthly life, but have a greater purpose in behaving responsibly. The Hereafter, therefore, needs to be considered.

And when there came to them a Book from Allah verifying that which they have, and aforetime they used to pray for victory against those who disbelieve, but when there came to them (Prophet) that which they did not recognize, they disbelieved in him; so Allah's curse is on the unbelievers...Holy Quran

Work to live, don't live to work. Find time for yourself, for your family, for your friends. Keep in mind that your priority is your loved ones, and not your work.

Imam Hasan has been the victim of a most malicious propaganda for the last 1,250 years. He is portrayed as "fond of ease and quiet" by his admirers (Ameer Ali in "Spirit of Islam") and "the great divorcer" by his detractors (Willi Frischaurer in "The Aga

The Curse

Nestor was a christian monk, who resided in Syria, who is said to have borne witness to Muhammad.

Imam Ali was assassinated in Kufa by the most evil of Allah's creation; Abdelrahman bin Muljim, a Khariji, on the twenty first of Ramadhan year 40 A.H.; of an age of 63 years that were spent in serving Allah's cause upholding justice, and establishing God

In this article, we will briefly explain that Islam is the faith that stands for peace and invites mankind towards good and prosperity in both the worlds - here, and Hereafter. Using Imam alHusayn Alayhissalam as our supreme paradigm

A recent study found "that 56 percent of TV programs - and 67 percent of prime-time shows - contained sexual content in word or deed over the course of one week.

Islam wishes its followers to use the power of speech to achieve goodness, to spread love and happiness, wisdom and guidance.

Modesty and chastity, very important ideologies with Islam, are achieved by prescribing standards on behavior and the dress of a Muslim. A woman who adheres to the tenements of Islam is required to follow the dress code called Hijab, other synonyms are Ve

We created you from earth and return you to earth, and then bring you forth from it once more.

In order for man to reach eternal life, he must rid himself of all satanic temptations. Only then will he become an Epiphany of divine glory.

Islam treats mankind as one great family of brothers and sisters. Islam has brought people and peoples together, freeing them from the trammels of division and difference, and calling them to establish the bases of accord and agreement in a society of brotherhood which is the natural state of man.

All that lives on earth or in the heavens is bound to pass away (55:26). ONE statement that will get me through all situations in life.

'The best way to find yourself, is to get lost and lose yourself in the service of others.' Gandhi

O seeker of the Sacred House of Allah, that Allah, the most Great and the most Exalted, has various houses: this obvious Ka'ba, the sacred mausoleum in Jerusalem, the Ever-Inhabited House (al-Bayt al-Ma'mar), the 'Arsh, till the matter reaches the true ho

The struggle between justice and injustice and the battle between truth and falsehood is as old as human existence on earth. When the rights of helpless and suppressed people are usurped, only a few devoted individuals, inspired by the Divine guidance sta

The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you - depending on how you respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pa

It was in the latter half of the sixth century, when the world was plunged in utter darkness that the Holy Prophet Muhammad, was born. His father's name was Abdullah who died before his birth. His mother's name was Amina. A few days after his birth, as was the custom among the nobility of the Arabs, he was given to the care of a Bedouin wet nurse. When he returned to his mother, she took him for a visit to Medina, but on the return journey, she died. At the age of six, he was entrusted to the care of his grandfather Abdul Muttalib who expired two years later. At this stage he was placed under the care. . .

The conversation about the existence of God between a Lecturer and a Student.

The benefits of Salat

On the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the multitudes of Muslims who have been blessed to perform the Hajj and others throughout the world mark the blessed day of Eid al Adha also known as Eid al Hajj.

Shi'ites take their slogans from the embodiment of the tribulations and hopes of the masses of the oppressed. Aware of the rulers, and in rebellion against them, they cry out...

First of all the Prophet possessed the quality of piety in its most universal sense, that quality which attaches man to God The Prophet was in that sense. . .

True progress and reform requires not only desire and hope, but commitment and sacrifice. If we want to move forward we have to make deliberate and continual steps, starting from the very basics of our deen, and couple this with regular, intense self-exam

There is a long list of tragedies that have befallen us that can be cited as our present-day Karbalas: Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Chechnya, Kashmir, Bosnia and Gujrat are but a few.

Like her mother, Lady Zainab was born into a household blooming with the choicest blessings of the Almighty. They both had the greatest of upbringings - one by the Prophet and Lady Khadija, the other by Imam Ali and Lady Fatima (peace be upon them all). T

The women present at the Battle of Ashura in Karbala, Iraq, in 61 AH were entrusted with a special mission: to keep Imam Hussain's (peace be upon him) message alive. Under the guidance of Imam Zainul Abideen and the leadership of Lady Zainab (peace be upo

In one of my visits to Medina, when I was honored to visit the graves of the Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them) in the well-known cemetery of Jannat al-Baqi, an old woman happen to meet me and asked in the Urdu language: Qubure Fatima kaha hai? (Where are th

Although the actual completion of the faith of Islam took place on the 18th of Dhul Hijjah on the plains of Ghadeer, its spiritual completion took place in the month of Rajab with the birth of Ali ibne Abi Talib (peace be upon him).

Brief excerpts from Imam Ali (a.s.)'s famous letter to Malike Ashtar, Governor of Egypt, in which he advised on leaders' "Code of Conduct". These are indeed priceless gems for those who are leaders or aspirants.

As we approach the 88th anniversary of the tragic occasion of the demolition of the holy graves of Baqi in Medina (which took place on the 8th of Shawwal in the year 1345 AH), we are greatly saddened at the injustice. That holy piece of land is the burial

The month of Safar ends with the death of numerous personalities - the Prophet of Islam being one of them. The man who was like no other left this world on the 28th of Safar after having brought the Arabian peninsula under the banner of Monotheism. In tri

As two of the largest religions in the world, Christianity and Islam are at the forefront of many events occurring around the world. Collectively, According to estimates in Encyclopedia Britannica, Muslims and Christians collectively make up 55% of the wo

The necessary conditions to be available in a leader are directly connected to the nature of the Islamic government. Disregarding the general conditions like wisdom and proper management, two basic conditions, i.e. justice and to know the law, should also

Kibr (pride) necessitates entry into the Hellfire and prevents entry into Paradise.

It is not uncommon for non-Muslims and even many Muslims to associate the Islamic commandments on Hijab with females, even though Islam has ordained Hijab for both men and women. In fact, many of us would be surprised to note that Allah states in the Holy

The death of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) affected her very much and she was very sad and grief-stricken and wept her heart out crying all the time. She was confronted, after the demise of her father, with the deprivement of the rig

After the Prophet died, the Muslim history indicates that many of the companions began to seek power. And based on the authentic traditions, Imam Ali was appointed by the Prophet to lead the Muslim community. But those people who were seeking for power we

When the Prophet died, Imam Ali and Lady Fatima's rights were taken away by the oppressors. Those same oppressors demanded that Imam Ali give allegiance to an illegitimate ruler. Because Imam Ali would not give in, they sent a gang to his house. Ahen Lady

The life of Jesus Christ is a topic of intense interest and discussion in today's world, especially within the field of religious studies. While many of these discussions take place within a Christian context, the increase in interest in Islamic studies h

Before Lady Fatima (peace be upon her) departed from this world, she asked Imam Ali (peace be upon him) to execute her will, in which lie many lessons and treasures of knowledge for us which we can all benefit from. Al-Zahra eloquently summarized in her will the major pitfalls (from a wife's perspective) that can destroy a marriage, by pointing out the three main faults: Lying, betrayal and disobedience. These three faults encompass all other faults and one can be confident that if there was anything missing, she would have mentioned it.

Empowered by the throne and blinded by wealth, they have ruled over nations. They sit on what they think is the top of the world with everyone and everything beneath them. They falsely presume they are unmatched. These are the dictators, the oppressors, t

Sura Kawthar is one of the shortest chapters in the Holy Qur'an, yet it is one of the richest ones too. It carries a fountain of knowledge for those who seek to extract its deeper meaning and wisdom. The interpreters of the Qur'an in the different schools

The life of Sayyida Fatima (a) was a life that was fully immersed in the Message of Islam, every breath of which was dedicated for the sake of Allah (swt). She exemplified every virtue and repelled every vice. She shared with the Messenger (s) all of his

Twenty-three years before the Hijra, on the thirteenth of Rajab, a miraculous birth took place. Fatima-bint-Asad, the wife of Abu Talib, was Divinely Guided with sudden labor pains to the Holy Kaaba. As her immense labor pains weighed her down, Fatima kne

On the 13th of the month of Rajab, twenty-three years before the migration of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) a child was born in the family of Abu Talib, light of whom kindled the whole World. Yes! We are talking about Ali (a.s.) the pious man whose childhood and

The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali, peace be on him, is the most distinguished personality of Islam after Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be on him. His entire life is the life of struggle for the advancement of Islam. He was a great combatant,

We Shia Muslims always consider Imam Ali (peace be upon him) our Imam and claim that we are his followers. Thus, we are celebrating his birth this week. The question is: is there any criteria to be met by which we can hope that we are following Imam Ali a

The Prophet of Islam began his historical night journey, along with the trusted protector of the revelation, the angel Jibraeel. With the aide of his steed al-Buraq, he traveled to Bayt al-Muqaddas, which (at that time) was located in the country of Jorda

"When Imam Mahdi reappears, he will rule with justice, and no one will be able to discriminate against another. Roads and paths will become secure, the Earth will bring out its bounties, all rights will be returned to their rightful owners, and no followe

Throughout the course of thousands of years, God has not rendered the Earth without a Holy representative to serve as a function of guidance to mankind. A continuation of divine mercy towards us is manifested in the twelve divinely-appointed Imams. While

Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is the twelfth and last of the chain of the Purified Imams (a.s.) and the divine successors. He was born at the time of dawn, on Friday the 15th of Shaban 255 A.H. in the city of Samarrah (Kamaaluddin vol. 2, Pg. 428, 433 424, 430). His

Traditions have been reported mentioning the signs for the time of the appearance of the Imam who will arise (qa'im), peace be on him, and the events which will take place before his appearance, together with the indications and features of it. Among them

Whether parents, speakers, or community leaders are willing to accept it or not, pornography has become an alarming problem in our homes and communities. With the rise in technology and a society which emphasizes instant gratification without consequences

As absurd as it sounds, some of us consume so much Islamic knowledge from books, speeches, and the Internet that we start to glaze over things we have seen and heard before, and look for "new" information. Many times people say they would rather not liste

Hajj season has concluded. People start heading back home. And suddenly, everyone is asked to stop. Those who are ahead are asked to return. Those who are behind are encouraged to catch up. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) has an announceme

When Imam 'Ali got ill, he ordered his son (al-Hasan) to lead the people in prayer. When Imam 'Ali was about to die, he entrusted al-Hasan and said: "My son, you are the trustee of authority and of blood." Imam 'Ali made al-Husayn, Muhammad (b. al-Hanafiy

The moon was almost setting, casting its dying rays on the waters of the rivulet Al Quma and the few tents that were pitched on its banks. Beside these tents, there were a few graves, which were scattered over some distance, providing the only landscape,

The reason people from other groups were friendly back to me -- was that I treated everyone with respect. I never gossiped about the popular crowd, never teased or taunted the nerds. . .

'So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought. ' (7:16) History is filled with stories about miracles and happenings that we today consider 'supernatural'. Each miracle serves a purpose and is suited to the circumstances it is in. Learning ab

Given both definitions, some people cannot seem to accept the idea of God's representative being 'in occultation', and others seem to believe that this phenomenon is restricted to Imam Mahdi. While it is true that the Imam's occultation stands out, histor

The honoured daughter and the only souvenir of the Prophet viz Lady Fatimah was sitting beside her father's bed. She was looking at his sacred face and could see that the perspiration of death was flowing down his face and forehead. With a heavy heart tea

How to best utilize Google search to find information. Given that the information you are looking for does exist on the World Wide Web, there are certain methods you can employ to find the material you require. . .

Many of us have vast collections of Islamic books as part of our libraries, with books spanning all different topics of Islamic knowledge. But if we go through each book in that library, and cannot recall some change in our lives from that book, than we h

Hijab in Islamic culture Hijab, consistent with human nature Hijab is a value that is consistent with human nature. Wearing immodest clothes and the unnecessary mixing of men and women go against natural human tendencies. In order to harmonize couples' li

Women's liberation movement did not start in the West, nor in the 20th century, or even strated by the women themselves. Rather, the women's liberation movement was revealed by God to a man in the seventh century by the name of Muhammad (peace be upon him

The book you are about to read is an English translation of the Scripture that Prophet Muhammad said was revealed to him by God, word for word, in the Arabic language. This book is not only still with us in its original form, but the life of the man to wh

Naming newborn children is considered a principle divine rule. Allah Almighty named Adam and Eve the first day He created them; He also taught Adam all names. Man, too, has followed this rule and practised it ever since. Naming is an essential rule for ci

We know the signs are ready, the Earth ripe, rotten, filled with sin, men in bondage, God completely forgotten. The time is come to cleanse this tumultuous hell, this riotous, unrestrained, violent world, oblivious of the tolling bell; as when it came for

The advice found in Letter 31 in Nahjul Balagha are a complete code of practice for success both in this world and the hereafter. Each sentence holds the key to purifying the soul, training the spirit and a basis on which we can build ourselves. Many of t

It has become common place to acknowledge that we live in an interconnected world. Yet it is not just goods, people and ideas that now flow freely across the world; it is also the religious insights, sensitivities, and prejudices of our fellow human being

When we think of poetry that is written for the glorification of God or in remembrance of the Prophet Muhammad(s) we might be inclined to reflect on the works of Mir Dard, Iqbal, Maulana Jalal ud Din Rumi or Ibn Arabi. But I was recently moved by a poem r

It has always been fashionable to regard religion as something belonging to the past, to a time when man was ignorant, lacking in knowledge, incapableof understanding, and incapable of properly analysing the course of events. Human beings, from the very i

Loneliness and isolation can affect our mental and physical wellbeing. Batool Haydar suggests three ways to face and overcome this growing social problem. . .

The term equality is a loaded term that has been used by politicians and social activists to support their own personal agendas. What does it mean when Islam states that the two genders are equal? Hamid Waqar explains how Islam theorises equality among me

Being a victim of mental abuse, more commonly known as bullying, I think it's important to talk about this issue hoping that others who have experienced bullying can relate to my story. . .

Fear is a very powerful emotion and has a massive bearing on success. It is fear that can turn things around in a good or bad way. Ever wondered why we are asked to fear God? Or the Day of Judgement? It's because it is this fear of being monitored at all

The teenage years have historically been a difficult period for parents in America, with very few exceptions. Struggling to find their own place in the world, teenagers often rebel against the ways of their parents. They want to experiment to find out wha

Religion conveys changes in all aspects of one's life; moral, spiritual, political, economic, educational, interpersonal relations and in so many others that in short, religion brings about radical changes in the lives of those who wish to live by it. . .

Islam like other Abrahamic faiths believes in the unity of God. God is ONE; He has no partner or children and there is nothing like Him. God is SIMPLE; He has no parts or constituents. He is the only Creator and. . .

Research from the field of the psychology of religion tells us that the nature of parents' relationships with their children is a major determinant of children's religious attachments in their future lives. More recent efforts indicate that Islam is no ex

A humble person is not someone who thinks he's nothing. He knows he's something, but he recognizes God as the source of his greatness. Thinking one is something without recognizing God as the source leads to arrogance. Don't equate humility with weakness.

In order to acquire the pleasure of Allah, we must be guided by His commandments and by the noble example of our beloved Prophet (saww). Everything must be for Allah alone, as commanded in the Glorious Qur'an. . .

A Muslim who realizes that life belongs not to himself, but to Allah becomes eager to sacrifice that life. Death comes to everyone at the hour appointed, but the difference between a life laid down willingly for the sake of Allah and a life lost in some w

Islam has much in common with the other monotheistic faiths of Christianity and Judaism, particularly with regard to belief in one Allah and in the basic qualities that are cultivated by a morally upright, righteous man. One of the aspects of Islam that d

The lesson learned from the season of spring is very important as it teaches us to engender moderation in our views, temperament and behaviour. Just as spring is moderate in climate, neither burning hot nor biting cold, it is also a season when buds and f

The Prophet- through a divine command - was ordered to seclude himself from contact with Khadija for 40 days. Despite all his love for his dear wife, the Holy Prophet did not go home in compliance with Allah's order. During the whole 40-day period of his

"Every one is going to taste death. And We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good, and to Us will you be returned." HOW often do we remember death? Yes death, a harsh and fearful reality that escapes no living person. None can avoid it. The peo

Rajab is a month of many special days, including the birth anniversaries of our first, fifth, and ninth, and tenth Imams, the day when the Prophet officially proclaimed Islam, and the day when he ascended to the heavens. . .]

Dawood was the foster brother of Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (peace be upon him), and the great-grandson of Imam Hasan (peace be upon him). The ruler of the time had taken Dawood prisoner; Dawood's mother, Fatima, was distraught at having no knowledge of her son

What is death? Does a man become 'nothing' after death? Is death the end of the soul as well as the body? In the eyes of those who believe that the soul and matter are not created by God, death is just a means of re-emerging in a new form - either better

The Creator of Death and Life has decreed that a Soul, once created, will never perish. It will live for ever. According to Islamic teachings, death is a continuation of life, but in another place. Once we accept this Truth, it stands to reason that those

During the last moments of man's life, angles arrive and stand on his right side. Likewise the Satans (devils) also approach him and stand on the left side of the deathbed. His wish at the time of his death will be what it was during his life and so he wi

At the approach of death, when the eyes, ears and tongue cease to function, the person concerned sees (in spiritual vision) three things which claim to be his friends. . .

Hadrat Ali (a.s.), in reply to a question about death, stated: "Death is one of the three things happening (to the dying person); Either it is good tidings of eternal bliss, or bad tidings of eternal punishment, or there is vague threatening suspense, so

"The Caliph Ali Bin Abi Talib is considered the fairest governor who appeared during human history (After the Prophet Muhammed)". For this reason, the World Organization for Human Rights called the rulers of the world to follow the example of his sound an

Although modern western societies might be more alienated from religion than most, they tend to regard with greater reverence the mystical paths of religion. Buddhism for example, came to be known to the West through the oriental martial arts, Zen poetry,

It is a common idea amongst all religious and spiritual traditions that human beings should have some kind of self-control. Although we enjoy free will, we need to exercise our free will in a responsible way. In the same way that we expect others to respe

It's that time of the year again. All Muslims are aware that this period is supposed to be a time of revival and refreshing oneself, of reining in material desires and putting in some extra effort to become better Muslims. There is no doubt that every Mus

With Ramadhan fast approaching, Alexander Khaleeli asks us to consider the spiritual and political significance of hunger, and how our experience of it can both bring us closer to God and motivate us to strive for a better world. . .

Taking a verse from the Qur'an or a tradition out of its historical context to support the prejudiced argument that Islam allows acts of terrorism is unjust, argues Hamid Waqar. . .

Recalling the story of the Sleepers of the Cave - found in both Christian and Muslim sources - Frank Gelli asks if today's state of affairs calls for a return to the cave. . .

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (peace be upon him) was born on the first day of Rajab, in the year 57 AH. As Shias, we take great pride in the religious and academic contributions of our Imams, in particular Imam al-Baqir, who laid the foundation for Shia jurispr

Negotiating relationships with others can help us to understand who we are and where we are going wrong. But true contentment can only come from realising that God is the Source and Resolution of all true desires, says Sabnum Dharamsi.

Language and thought are like two sides of the same coin. For how we think influences what we say, and what we say shapes how we think. Words offer an important window into the world of our thoughts. When thoughts are narrow, language becomes constricted

Alexander Khaleeli elaborates on the role of the Prophet's Household as a shining example of how to overcome our differences, without trying to pretend they don't exist.

Mab'ath, signifies resurgence and is the most important day on which the sun has ever shone. It is the resurgence of not just humanitarian values but the basic purpose of life and the goal towards which mankind is moving. Hence it is more significant than

The emphasis on literacy that began with the Prophet continued with the classical scholars, who saw writing as the foremost means of preserving and transmitting knowledge. This is reflected in the fact that major Islamic centres of learning, such as the D

The Prophet has been quoted as saying, "It (Sha'ban) is a distinguished month and it is my month...it is a month in which sustenance for the Believers is increased and it is the month of performing deeds. . ."

The belief in the coming of a Saviour to spread peace and justice in a fallen world is common to all Abrahamic religions. The belief in the Mahdi, 'the Awaited One', is not only an essential doctrine deep-rooted in Islam but it is also an embodiment of hu

Waiting is as intrinsic a part of human nature as breathing. From the very moment we gain consciousness, we are waiting. As children, we wait - or can't wait - to grow up. As adults, we wait to move from one milestone of success to another - we wait to. .

Yasser Ahmed talks about William Chittick and his most treasured work; the translation of al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya.

Because belief in God is logically prior to belief in any particular scripture or religion, any account we offer of God must be grounded in reason and able to stand on its own merits. The basis of all our religious practice and belief is our knowledge of

The advent of Spring is the turning of another page in the book of creation and is a golden opportunity to learn lessons that are constructive for our lives. Just as God brings the dead to life, the earth infuses the flowers and blossoms with new life wit

Truth is self-evident and it does not require a profound explanation. Man has completely realised that occasional withdrawal from full life not only tends to provide appreciation of life but also to provide a better means to treat and utilise it. This wit

In Abraham's life, we find something that can inspire all human generations regarding how to be submissive to God and at the same time how to treat people with care, mercy and love and how to be like a father for everyone while remaining totally devoted to God. . .

The beginning of the Islamic month of Dhil Qa'ada marks the birth anniversary of Lady Fatima al-Masooma (peace be upon her). Her father was Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him), and her mother was Lady Najmah. Not long after her birth, her father was m

Physically exhausting, yet spiritually uplifting, are the words to describe the anniversary of 40 days after the martyrdom of Imam Husayn(a). It is dubbed 'the world's largest peaceful gathering'. But peaceful isn't the only word I'd use to describe the e

Miracles are a mysterious but fascinating phenomenon. A miracle could be defined as an extraordinary act calling for a challenge that no one can overcome. In the Islamic context, it has been used as a proof to establish the veracity of the message of the

It was right after the Prophet was martyred. While he was still unburied, some of the people in Medina rushed to select the next ruler at Saqifa. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and some of the Prophet's close companions stayed far from that. The events that

Worship should not be compared to a mere exercise of concentration. Concentration may be a part of worship but it is not its finality because to focus on concepts or words in some cases may represent a form of distraction from the One to whom our worship

Repentance is a key concept in all monotheistic religions and all Abrahamic faiths have stressed its religious importance. On the contrary, other religions do not emphasise this spiritual aspect and do not consider it to be relevant for the upliftment of

A great portion of the world is suffering from the illness of religious hatred and sectarian violence. What the world needs today perhaps more than anything else is an acceptable formula for the attainment of religious tolerance and harmony. This is one o

On Eid al-Ghadir we celebrate the appointment of Imam Ali(a) as the successor to Prophet Muhammad(s). He was undoubtedly the greatest servant of God after the Holy Prophet(s). He was the Commander of the Believers, an undefeated champion in battle, a gene

Me'raj, the ascension to the heavens of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny), is one of the most controversial events in Islam. While many believe that Me'raj was only the spiritual ascension or was a dream experienced by the Prop

It is narrated in the books of Ahl Sunnah as well as the Jafari school of thought that the killers of Imam al-Husayn, are not ONLY those who actively participated in the battle of Karbala but also those who stood by and did nothing. . .

Think of an act of charity or generosity that has inspired you, restored your faith in humanity, or moved you to help someone. What characterized that act of charity? What made it hit home for you? Acts of charity that touch our hearts are often ones that

For the past fourteen centuries, Imam Hussain's (as) stand on the day of Ashura has served as an inspiration for people from various walks of life. One aspect of his movement was his call to uphold basic human values of justice, truth, and the freedom to

The Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid imprisoned Imam al-Kadhim and inflicted many forms of torture upon him. The oppression and torture brought upon the Imam is countered with the Imam's desire to connect with Allah without distractions. Recognizing the good and bad of a given situation lies in knowing our purpose in this life. . .

Knowing this story today is more crucial than ever. After twenty years of rule, much bloodshed, and widespread oppression, Muawyah died and power was transferred to his Yazeed, in contravention of the peace treaty. People had long tasted the bitterness of

Arbaeen - the world's most populous gathering and you've probably never heard of it! Not only does the congregation exceed the number of visitors to Mecca (by a factor of five, in fact), it is more significant than Kumbh Mela, since the latter is only hel

Death is a word dread by most of the people, but little do they realise, that everything which comes into existence from nothing, has to perish, decay or die one day.

There is a life after death. We will all die and we will all be raised again after death on the Day of Judgement and will be judged accordingly.

Truth, justice, virtue, good life and similar terms express the firm and continuous ambition of human beings in history. Islam as a Divine religion, constructing its principles and values upon Godly revelation, as well as human reason, gives a coherent picture of the good, justice, virtue, perfection, progress, and the like.

Many people see Islam as simply a set of beliefs and ritual observances. Ignorance of Islam feeds stereotypes of the religion as legalistic and literalist without any spiritual subtlety and makes the common man susceptible to negative propaganda against it. This negative attitude extends to the Prophet Muhammad(s) as well who is now increasingly perceived in the most damning ways imaginable.

Islam considers education and edification to be important tasks of the final Prophet. Like other prophets, the Prophet of Islam was sent forth to develop man's innate nature (fitrah) which is necessary to attain perfection and salvation. Proceeding from this foundation, any teacher of Islam should define an approach in which all the educational activities concur with. . .